A Pasta for All Paisans

Spaghetti, macaroni, mostaccioli, tortellini, linguini, lasagna, ravioli, rigatoni, ziti, and couscous, . . . these are only some of the names we give to pasta, which simply means “dough” or “paste.”

Whatever the name we call pasta by, it doesn’t take much work by the old noodle to see that its popularity shows no signs of diminishing. Statistics indicate that consumers eat such dishes more than once a week. And children eat more pasta than any other age group, accounting for 62 pounds a year. In…